Fabrice Muamba: Bolton players and staff prepare Tottenham return

26 March 2012 03:59

Owen Coyle has admitted there is no way of knowing how his Bolton players will react to Tuesday's return to White Hart Lane.

News of further improvement in Fabrice Muamba's condition has offered plenty of encouragement.

Coyle revealed that Muamba had been well enough to start watching the Sunday morning edition of Match of the Day, only to fall asleep with his team-mates leading 2-0 against Blackburn.

Back in action: Bolton played at the weekend and return to Tottenham on Tuesday

And the recent bulletin from the London Chest Hospital that the 23-year-old has been out of bed and eating.

However, it remains to be seen whether that alone will insulate Bolton's players from the mental problems that could be triggered by visiting the same ground on which Muamba suffered his cardiac arrest nine days ago.

And entering the dressing room in which so many were in floods of tears as they feared the worst for their friend and colleague.

'Because Fabrice is getting better, that allows us to play the match,' said Coyle.

'If it was different circumstances, it might be a different conversation. The great thing is that he is getting better.

'We will do our best, as we always try to do. Will it be emotional? Of course. But I can't say how it is going to be until we are physically there.'

Coyle and chairman Phil Gartside will be part of a small Bolton delegation that intends to visit Muamba, the first Wanderers representation since club doctor Jonathan Tobin revealed the midfielder's heart had stopped beating for 78 minutes before medical staff finally managed to get it started.

Such visits are crucial, according to the Bolton boss, for the morale within his squad.